Abstract

Background

Physical activity plays an important role in optimising physical and mental health during childhood, adolescence, and throughout adult life. This study aims to identify individual, family and environmental factors that determine physical activity levels in a population sample of children in Ireland.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of the first wave (2008) of the nationally representative Growing Up in Ireland study. A two-stage clustered sampling method was used where national schools served as the primary sampling unit (response rate: 82%) and age eligible children from participating schools were the secondary units (response rate: 57%). Parent reported child physical activity levels and potential covariates (parent and child reported) include favourite hobby, total screen time, sports participation and child body mass index (measured by trained researcher). Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression (forward block entry) examined the association between individual, family and environmental level factors and physical activity levels.

Results

The children (N = 8,568) were classified as achieving low (25%), moderate (20%) or high (55%) physical activity levels. In the fully adjusted model, male gender (OR 1.64 [95% CI: 1.34-2.01]), having an active favourite hobby (OR 1.65 [95% CI: 1.31-2.08]) and membership of sports or fitness team (OR 1.90 [95% CI: 1.48-2.45]) were significantly associated with being in the high physical activity group. Exceeding two hours total screen time (OR 0.66 [95% CI: 0.52-0.85]), being overweight (OR 0.41 [95%CI: 0.27-0.61]; or obese (OR 0.68 [95%CI: 0.54-0.86]) were significantly associated with decreased odds of being in the high physical activity group.

Conclusions

Individual level factors appear to predict PA levels when considered in the multiple domains. Future research should aim to use more robust objective measures to explore the usefulness of the interconnect that exists across these domains. In particular how the family and environmental settings could be useful facilitators for consistent individual level factors such as sports participation.

Keywords

Background

Physical activity (PA) plays a fundamental role in maintaining and improving physical and mental health, both during childhood and in later years [1, 2]. Participating in high levels of PA during childhood produces immediate and, long-term health benefits in adulthood [3, 4]. Despite the known health benefits, PA levels decline across the lifespan, particularly during adolescence [3, 5–7]. Identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality [8], physical inactivity is a major public health concern worldwide, associated with an estimated one million deaths annually in the World Health Organisation (WHO) European region alone [9].

WHO international guidelines recommend that children participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily [10, 11]. Worldwide, research has indicated that children are not achieving these guidelines, with estimates of activity levels varying both between and within countries [12–16]. For example, 42% of children aged six to 11 years in the United States [16] participate in 60 minutes of MVPA daily. Similarly, in the United Kingdom (UK), objectively measured PA measurements indicate that just 51% of four to 10 year olds (33% of four to 15 year olds) meet the recommended guidelines [12]. In comparison, 19% of primary school children and 14% of 10 to 18 year olds in Ireland meet the recommendations [14].

Achieving the recommended levels of PA per day is essential for the prevention and treatment of many health problems such as obesity. In particular, with evidence of tracking PA from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood [3], developing an active lifestyle from a young age may also produce long term benefits. However, to design effective strategies for increasing children’s PA levels, effects on, and determinants of, activity levels need to be well understood.

In order to structure relevant determinants, the conceptual framework for this research adopted Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of child development and well-being [17, 18]. This model proposes that a child's development is affected by multiple levels of influencers including the micro-system which includes direct influencers such as family, school and neighbourhood [18]. Bronfenbrenner's model advocates the need to address factors at multiple levels in order to understand and change PA behaviours. Multilevel approaches derived from such ecological models have been recommended to examine PA determinants [19].

Existing evidence on correlates of PA in children have been reviewed extensively in the literature [7, 20]. However, despite the awareness of multi-level associations, many of these factors have been investigated individually. Further, in 2009, the top five future research priorities for understanding and eliminating disparities in obesity, diet, and PA were published following a meeting of experts in the US [21]. One key recommendation for PA research was to “define individual and environmental factors using mixed methods and other new models to study both simultaneously” [21]. This research uses nationally representative data to examine the multi-level predictive capability of these correlates, specifically; the individual, family, and environmental level factors of PA among nine year olds in Ireland. The first aim of this study is to identify the distribution of individual, family and environmental factors by PA levels. A further novel objective is to model the multi-level effects of these factors on the PA levels of children at age nine.

Methods

Study design and sample

The sample comprised of 8,568 nine-year-old school-children participating in the first wave (2008) of Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study [22]. GUI is a nationally representative cohort of nine year old children living in the Republicof Ireland. The data (in the form of an Anonymised Microdata File, AMF) are archived in the Irish Social Science Data Archive (ISSDA) and are available to researchers on request.

Eligibility criteria included children who were born between 1st November 1997 and 31st October 1998. The sample was selected using a two-stage clustered sampling method within the Irish primary school system (all mainstream, special and private schools), whereby the school was the primary sampling unit and the age eligible children attending the school were the secondary units [23, 24]. In the first stage, 1,105 schools from the national total of 3,200 were randomly selected using probability proportionate to size sampling, followed by recruitment of a random sample of eligible children within each school (stage two). At the school level, a response rate of 82.3% (910 schools) was achieved, while at the level of the household (i.e. eligible child) 57% of children and their parent/guardians participated in the study. Fieldwork for the school-based component was carried out between March-November 2007, while fieldwork for the home-based phase of data collection ran from July 2007-July 2008. The data were weighted prior to analysis to account for the complex sampling design, which involves the structural adjustment of the sample to the population using Census of Population statistics while maintaining the case base of 8,568 children. More detailed information on the sampling, data collection process and derivation of weights is available elsewhere [24].

Ethical approval was granted by the Health Research Board’s Research Ethics Committee based in Dublin, Ireland. Written informed consent was also obtained from a parent or guardian and the study child prior to commencement of the data collection process [24].

Data collection procedures

Trained social interviewers conducted interviews with the study child and their primary caregiver (and second parent/guardian where applicable) within the home. Parents nominated a primary caregiver (the parent who spent most time with the study child) who was the primary respondent. In 98% of cases, this was the study child’s biological mother. The main interviews were completed on a Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) basis. There was also a self-complete paper-based supplement for all respondents, which included some potentially sensitive questions such as issues about the marital relationship, marital conflict, experience of depression, and use of drugs [24]. Sources and validity of each of the questions used for this research is contained elsewhere [24]. Anthropometric measurements for the primary and secondary caregiver as well as the study child were also taken during the household interview using standard procedures [24].

Dependent variable

Child PA levels were calculated separately using data reported by the study child’s primary caregiver (mother for 98% of children). The PA questions included in the primary caregivers questionnaire were adapted from the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire [25]. The caregiver reported the number of days out of the previous 14 that the child had engaged in ‘hard’ exercise for at least 20 minutes. Hard exercise was defined as exercise that resulted in heavy breathing and a fast heart beat [23]. This self-report measure has been shown to demonstrate concurrent validity with measures of maximum oxygen intake (VO2 max) and muscular endurance [26], as well as acceptable test-retest reliability [27].

Study child’s PA was re-coded into a three level variable based on previous research [28]: low “0-4 days”, moderate “5-8 days” and high “>9 days” PA groups. Nine or more days out of previous 14 was the highest possible value and corresponds closest to the recommended PA guidelines. This is also consistent with other Irish research using the same wave of the GUI data [29].

Covariates

Individual level variables

Five individual level variables were included: the study child’s gender, whether the study child was a member of a sports or fitness club (yes/no), total screen time (TST [<2 hours TST per day/>2 hours TST per day]), the nature of study child’s favourite hobby (active/inactive) and the study child’s weight status (normal/overweight/obese). Data for the former three variables was primary caregiver reported. The study child’s favourite hobby variable was based on child reported data. Weight status was classified using objectivity measured data.

TST was categorised based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Paediatricians [30]. This variable was created by combining three screen time variables; hours spent watching TV/videos, playing video games and using a computer (<1 hour, 1-3hours, >3 hours). This resulted in a seven level response variable, classified as: “adhering to (<) the recommended maximum two hours/day” or “exceeding the recommended two hours/day”. Adhering to the recommended TST was defined as, the study child only exceeding one hour of screen time in one of the screen time variables (giving a potential for maximum two hours TST).

The study child’s favourite hobby variable was created using 32 hobbies listed by the child, classified into a two level response “active” or “inactive” (16 hobbies in each group). A hobby was considered active if it required the child having a physically active participatory role and inactive if the child had a permissive role or remained sedentary. Active hobbies included: basketball, football, hockey and gymnastics. Inactive hobbies included: reading, listening to music and watching TV.

Trained interviewers were responsible for height and weight measurements of each study child and each adult respondent. Height data was recorded to the nearest millimetre using a Leicester portable height stick [24]. Weight was recorded using a SECA 761 flat mechanic scales to the nearest 0.5 kilogram [24]. Children’s body mass index (BMI) were classified as normal weight, overweight (BMI of 19.46 for boys and 19.45 for girls) or obese (BMI of 23.39 for boys and 23.46 for girls) using age (9.5 years) and gender specific International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) cut off points [31].

Family level variables

Six family level variables were included: primary caregiver’s education (third level/post-secondary/ higher secondary/lower secondary or less), employment status (in full time work/ not in full time work), parenting style (authoritative/permissive) primary caregiver weight status (normal, overweight or obese), whether the child has siblings (yes/no) and the household structure (two parent/single parent). These variables were based on primary caregiver reported data with the exception of objectively measured weight status.

The parenting style variable described the practices of the child’s primary caregiver. For the purpose of this research, the original GUI responses; authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and uninvolved parenting styles were re-coded as “authoritative” or “permissive”. The primary caregiver’s measured BMI data was classified according to WHO guidelines as normal weight (<25 kg/m2), overweight (≥25 and <30 kg/m2) or obese (≥30 kg/m2) [32].

Environmental level variables

Five environmental level variables were included: transport to and from school (active/both active and inactive/inactive), school playground (good or excellent/fair or poor), school sports facilities (good or excellent/fair or poor), after school activities (agree/disagree) and safe play areas in neighbourhood (agree/disagree).

The school transport variable (caregiver reported) was created using questions on how the study child travelled both to and from school (walks, by public transport, school bus/coach, car, cycles or other). Responses were combined and re-coded as “active both ways”, “active one way, inactive one way” and “inactive both ways”.

The school playground and sports facilities data were obtained from the school principal questionnaire while data on neighbourhood facilities were primary caregiver reported. Responses for school facilities were re-coded as “very good/excellent” or “fair/poor”. Responses to both neighbourhood facilities were re-coded as “agree” or “disagree”.

Statistical analysis

Secondary analysis was performed using stata (version 12, intercooled). P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Probability weights were applied to the data using survey data commands to account for the complex survey design.

Missing data levels were very low for the majority of the variables used, and where missing values were identified (e.g. 5.2% of PCG BMI measurements) it was found not to be missing at random and hence, data could not be imputed. Primary caregiver reported PA data was available for 99.9% of the study children, giving an effective case base of 8,566 children for analysis.

Descriptive statistics were performed to evaluate the children’s PA related characteristics. Unadjusted multinomial logistic regression methods were used to measure the association between independent predictor variables and moderate/high PA levels. Multinomial multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess their predictive capability (adjusting for all potential confounders) using the forward block entry function: individual, family and environmental blocks. The first block (model one) included the five individual level factors: gender, weight status, TST, favourite hobby and being a member of a sports or fitness team. Block two (model 2) included the six family level factors: primary caregiver’s education, primary caregiver’s employment status, primary caregiver’s weight status, siblings, parenting style and household structure. Block three (model 3) contained the five environmental level factors: transport to and from school, school’s playground facilities, school sports facilities, safe neighbourhood to play in and after school activities.

Results

Overview of children’s PA patterns

Children were categorised into three PA groups: low (N = 2,135), moderate (N = 1,740) and high (N = 4,691). Overall, 26.3% (95% CI, 24.9-27.7) had low, 19.3% (95% CI, 18.2-20.5) had moderate and 54.4% (95% CI, 52.8-55.9) had high PA levels. Gender differences existed, with 61% (N = 2,609) of boys categorised as being highly active (high PA group) compared to 48% (N = 2,082) of girls (p < 0.001). PA/obesity related demographics stratified by gender are presented in Table 1. Over half of the children (N = 4,730) reported taking exercise almost every day (55% of boys vs. 45% of girls, p < 0.001), of which 65% (N = 3,123) were in the high, 16% (N = 794) in the moderate and 19% (N = 813) in the low PA groups (p < 0.001). According to child reported data, 25% (N = 2,136) of children met the WHO guidelines of participating in 60 minutes of MVPA each day. Boys were more likely to achieve the recommended guideline than girls (29% versus 21%, p < 0.001). Valid height and weight measurements for the study child were also obtained for 94.5% (N = 8,136) of the sample. The estimated proportion of children in the normal, overweight, and obese categories was 74.1% (95% CI, 72.8-75.3), 19.3% (95% CI, 18.2-20.5) and 6.6% (95% CI, 5.9-7.4), respectively.

Table 1

Physical activity/obesity related characteristics of the children by gender and PA levels

Boys

Girls

Low PA

Moderate PA

High PA

Low PA

Moderate PA

High PA

(N = 826)

(N = 728)

(N = 2,609)

(N = 1,309)

(N = 1,012)

(N = 2,082)

Individual factors+

Total

N (%)

N (%)

N (%)

p-value

Total

N (%)

N (%)

N (%)

p-value

Child’s weight status**

<0.001

<0.001

Normal

3,100

558 (20)

541 (17)

2,001 (63)

3,019

812 (27)

692 (22)

1515(51)

Overweight

661

137 (21)

115 (17)

409 (62)

875

296 (36)

204 (21)

375 (43)

Obese

196

74 (39)

39 (18)

83 (43)

284

122 (48)

65 (20)

97 (33)

Takes exercise

<0.001

<0.001

Never

34

22 (62)

4 (10)

8 (28)

44

25 (69)

7 (10)

12 (21)

1-2times/week

673

243 (38)

144 (20)

286 (42)

957

446 (47)

223 (21)

288 (32)

3-4times/week

939

209 (25)

234 (25)

496 (51)

1,136

356 (33)

329 (27)

453 (40)

Almost every day

2,486

341 (16)

344 (14)

1801 (70)

2,244

472 (22)

450 (19)

1,322(59)

Sports/fitness club

<0.001

<0.001

Yes

3,585

596 (18)

644 (18)

2345 (64)

3,137

809 (26)

768 (24)

1,560 (49)

No

573

226 (41)

84 (14)

263 (45)

1,261

496 (40)

244 (16)

521 (44)

Playing sport*

<0.001

0.11

Favourite #

1,657

232 (15)

258 (16)

1167 (69)

809

178 (23)

195 (24)

436 (53)

Second favourite

968

155 (17)

187 (19)

636 (64)

767

207 (30)

179 (22)

381 (48)

Third favourite

455

97 (27)

78 (16)

280 (57)

506

144 (31)

123 (22)

239 (48)

Watching TV*

0.38

0.99

Favourite

169

53(29)

33 (19)

83 (52)

195

73 (35)

42 (20)

80 (45)

Second favourite

491

126 (28)

88 (20)

277 (53)

428

144 (34)

94 (21)

190 (45)

Third favourite

669

135 (23)

128 (18)

406 (59)

551

187 (35)

121 (21)

243 (44)

Playing video games*

<0.001

0.36

Favourite

211

71 (37)

42 (17)

98 (46)

84

34 (35)

22 (29)

28 (36)

Second favourite

318

84 (30)

64 (19)

170 (51)

202

61 (28)

54 (24)

87 (48)

Third favourite

392

83 (21)

70 (18)

239 (62)

255

86 (36)

58 (20)

111(43)

Watching TV

<0.001

<0.001

Zero or <1 hour

1,050

157 (17)

174 (15)

719 (68)

1,186

274 (25)

279 (21)

633 (54)

1-3hours

2,723

539 (21)

475 (18)

1,709 (62)

2,819

856 (30)

656 (22)

1,307 (47)

>3 hours

390

130 (35)

79 (21)

181 (44)

398

179 (45)

77 (19)

142 (36)

Playing video games

<0.001

0.02

Zero or <1 hour

3,059

549 (20)

522 (17)

1,988 (63)

3,923

1,118 (29)

923 (22)

1,882 (48)

1-3hours

1,011

245 (26)

185 (17)

581 (57)

438

169 (37)

82 (16)

187 (47)

>3 hours

93

32 (38)

21 (21)

40 (41)

39

19 (46)

7 (21)

13 (32)

On the computer

<0.001

0.34

Zero or <1 hour

3,650

669 (21)

624 (17)

2,337 (62)

3,820

1,097 (30)

895 (22)

1,828 (48)

1-3hours

498

143 (31)

94 (17)

261 (52)

549

200 (35)

112 (44)

237 (44)

>3 hours

33

14 (33)

9 (31)

10 (36)

32

11 (31)

5 (15)

16 (53)

Total screen time

<0.001

0.002

<2 hours/day

899

128 (17)

142 (14)

629 (69)

1,082

247 (25)

258 (22)

577 (53)

>2 hours/day

3,262

698 (23)

585 (18)

1,979 (59)

3,317

1,059 (32)

754 (22)

1,504 (46)

Family factors+

Caregiver’s weight***

0.74

0.13

Normal

1,925

349 (21)

340 (17)

1,236 (62)

1,962

552 (29)

466 (21)

944 (50)

Overweight

1,244

262 (22)

224 (18)

758 (60)

1,300

391 (31)

282 (21)

627 (47)

Obese

655

149 (23)

112 (17)

394 (60)

1735

248 (35)

172 (23)

315 (43)

Caregiver’s education

0.01

<0.001

</=lower second level

674

156 (25)

108 (15)

410 (60)

834

281 (35)

151 (17)

402 (48)

Higher second level

1,295

287 (23)

248 (19)

760 (58)

1,403

428 (31)

319 (22)

656 (47)

Post second level

1,056

203 (21)

173 (16)

680 (63)

1,067

302 (27)

241 (23)

524 (50)

Third level

1,138

180 (17)

199 (17)

759 (66)

1,099

298 (26)

301 (27)

500 (47)

Siblings

0.59

0.17

Yes

3,716

728 (22)

656 (18)

2,332 (61)

3,977

1,166 (30)

910 (21)

1,901 (49)

No

329

66 (20)

57 (16)

206 (64)

330

101 (32)

88 (26)

141 (42)

Household type

0.01

0.71

Single Parent

457

119 (28)

58 (14)

280 (59)

534

165 (32)

118 (20)

251 (48)

Two parent

3,706

707 (21)

670 (18)

2,329 (61)

3,869

1,144 (31)

894 (22)

1,831 (47)

Environmental factors+

Transport to school

0.21

0.68

Active

1,047

199 (23)

167 (15)

681 (62)

1,085

298 (30)

261 (22)

526 (49)

Inactive

3,116

627 (22)

561 (18)

1,928 (60)

3,318

1,011 (31)

751 (21)

1,556 (47)

Transport from school

0.24

0.48

Active

1,160

223 (23)

190 (15)

747 (63)

1,209

339 (30)

298 (23)

572 (48)

Inactive

3,003

603 (21)

538 (18)

1,862 (60)

3,189

967 (31)

713 (21)

1,509 (48)

School playground^

0.19

0.79

Fair/poor

1,660

320 (22)

316 (19)

1,024 (59)

1,704

501 (30)

398 (22)

805 (48)

Good/excellent

2,361

453 (22)

389 (16)

1,489 (62)

2,493

751 (31)

573 (21)

1,169 (48)

School sports facilities^

0.97

0.43

Fair/poor

1,765

343 (22)

310 (17)

1,112 (60)

1,908

573 (31)

417 (20)

918 (48)

Good/excellent

2,267

460 (22)

397 (17)

1,410 (61)

2,341

698 (31)

563 (22)

1080 (47)

Safe places to play

0.34

0.18

Agree

3,814

740 (22)

662 (17)

2412 (61)

4,016

1,194 (30)

925 (22)

1,897 (48)

Disagree

344

85 (26)

64 (16)

195 (58)

113

381 (36)

87 (19)

181 (46)

+All data is primary caregiver reported unless indicated otherwise.

*Child-reported variable.

**Weight status defined as BMI classified according to International Obesity Taskforce on Obesity age and gender specific guidelines using objectively measured height and weight data.

***Weight status defined as BMI classified according to World Health Organisation guidelines using objectively measured height and weight data.

^School principal reported data.

#Favourite refers to the study child reporting the hobby as being their favourite thing to do.

Univariate logistic regression findings

Table 2 presents the results of the univariate multinomial logistic regression. All five of the individual level factors were found to be associated with high PA while four were found to be associated with moderate PA levels. Of the family level factors, primary caregiver’s education, primary caregiver’s employment status, household structure and parenting style were significantly associated with moderate PA levels, while having siblings and primary caregiver’s weight status were not. None of the school level factors were associated with either moderate or high PA levels, while, both safe playgrounds and participating in after school activities in the children’s neighbourhood were found to be associated with both moderate and high PA.

Table 2

Independent association of each of the individual, family and environmental level factors and moderate or high PA levels

Variable

Moderate PA* (N = 1,740)

High PA* (N = 4,691)

OR (95% CI)

p-value

OR (95% CI)

p-value

Individual factors+

Gender

Boys

1.13 (0.96-1.33)

0.14

1.79 (1.55-2.07)

<0.001

Girls

1***

1

Child’s weight status#

Obese

0.52 (0.38-0.71)

<0.001

0.34 (0.26-0.44)

<0.001

Overweight

0.78 (0.64-0.95)

0.01

0.71 (0.60-0.84)

<0.001

Normal

1

1

Child’s favourite hobby**

Active hobby^

1.26 (1.08-1.48)

0.01

1.81 (1.57-2.08)

<0.001

Inactive hobby

1

1

Sports/fitness club

Yes

2.49 (2.09-2.98)

<0.001

2.41 (2.0-2.82)

<0.001

No

1

1

Total screen time

<Recommended 2 hours

0.83 (0.67-1.01)

0.06

0.66 (0.56-0.78)

<0.001

>Recommended 2 hours

1

1

Family factors+

Caregiver’s employment

Not in full time

1.31 (1.02-1.69)

0.04

1.23 (0.99 -1.53)

0.06

In full time work

1

1

Caregiver’s education

Third level

1.93 (1.51-2.46)

<0.001

1.56 (1.28-1.90)

<0.001

Post-secondary

1.48 (1.17-1.87)

<0.001

1.35 (1.13-1.62)

0.001

Higher secondary

1.45 (1.16-1.79)

<0.001

1.10 (0.94-1.32)

0.23

< =Lower secondary

1

1

Caregiver’s weight status##

Obese

0.86 (0.68-1.09)

0.21

0.77 (0.64-0.94)

0.01

Overweight

0.96 (0.79-1.17)

0.69

0.89 (0.76-1.04)

0.13

Normal

1

1

Siblings

Yes

0.92 (0.67-1.25)

0.57

1.02 (0.78-1.32)

0.90

No

1

1

Household type

Two parent

1.37 (1.07-1.75)

0.01

1.19 (0.99-1.45)

0.06

Single parent

1

1

Parenting style

Authoritative

1.26 (1.03-1.55)

0.02

1.22 (1.03-1.44)

0.02

Permissive

1

1

Environmental factors+

Travel to/from school

Active both ways

0.94 (0.77-1.15)

0.54

1.02 (0.87-1.20)

0.80

Active one way

1.12 (0.83-1.52)

0.46

1.00 (0.79-1.28)

0.99

Inactive both ways

1

1

School playground***

Good/excellent

0.89 (0.74-1.06)

0.18

1.00 (0.86-1.18)

0.94

Fair/poor

1

1

School sports facilities***

Good/excellent

1.08 (0.91-1.28)

0.37

1.03 (0.88-1.20)

0.75

Fair/poor

1

1

Safe places to play

Agree

1.20 (1.02-1.41)

0.03

1.20 (1.05-1.38)

0.01

Disagree

1

1

After school activities

Yes

1.29 (1.07-1.56)

0.01

1.22 (1.04-1.42)

0.01

No

1

1

+All data is primary caregiver reported unless indicated otherwise.

*Reference category: low PA.

**Child-reported data.

***School principal reported data.

****1 denotes reference category.

^Active hobby was defined as one in which the study child had a physically active participatory role.

#Weight status defined as BMI classified according to International Obesity Taskforce on Obesity age and gender specific guidelines using objectively measured height and weight data.

##Weight status defined as BMI classified according to World Health Organisation guidelines using objectively measured height and weight data.

Multivariate logistic regression findings

Individual, family and environmental factors associated with moderate and high physical activity.

Model one (individual level factors)

Of the individual level factors, male gender (p < 0.001), having a physically active favourite hobby (p < 0.001) and being a member of a sports or fitness group (p < 0.001) were positively associated with high PA levels (Table 3). Being a member of a sports or fitness team (p < 0.001) was positively associated with moderate PA. Being overweight or obese was negatively associated with both moderate and high PA, while exceeding the recommended maximum TST (two hours) was negatively associated with high PA (p < 0.001). Obese children were 60% and 42% less likely to be in the high and moderate PA groups, respectively (OR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.31-0.52] p < 0.001; OR: 0.58 [95% CI: 0.42-0.79] p < 0.001) compared to children of normal weight. Overweight children were 21% and 23% less likely to be in the moderate and high PA groups, respectively (OR, 0.79 [95% CI: 0.65-0.97] p = 0.02; OR: 0.77 [95% CI, 0.64-0.91] p = 0.003). Children who exceeded two hours TST were 23% less likely to be in high PA group (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.59-0.84] p < 0.001).

Table 3

Multivariate multinomial analysis of the individual, family and environmental factors and PA levels

Model 1 (individual level factors)

Model 2 (model 1 + family level factors)

Model 3 (model 1 and 2 + environmental factors)

Moderate

High

Moderate

High

Moderate

High

OR (95%CI)

p-value

OR (95%CI)

p-value

OR (95%CI)

p-value

OR (95%CI)

p-value

OR (95%CI)

p-value

OR (95%CI)

p-value

Individual factors+

Gender

Boys

0.96 (0.81-1.14)

0.63

1.54(1.32-1.80)

<0.001

0.85 (0.68 -1.08)

0.19

1.66 (1.37-2.01)

<0.001

0.84 (0.66-1.06)

0.15

1.64 (1.34-2.01)

<0.001

Girls

1***

1

1

1

1

1

Child’s weight status#

Obese

0.58 (0.42-0.79)

<0.001

0.40 (0.31-0.52)

<0.001

0.86 (0.55-1.34)

0.51

0.41 (0.27-0.61)

<0.001

0.90 (0.57-1.40)

0.63

0.41 (0.27-0.61)

<0.001

Overweight

0.79 (0.65-0.97)

0.02

0.77 (0.64-0.91)

0.001

0.72 (0.55-1.34)

0.02

0.68 (0.54-0.85)

<0.001

0.75 (.56-1.00)

0.05

0.68 (0.54-0.86)

<0.001

Normal

1

1

1

1

1

1

Total screen time^

< Recommended 2 hours

0.90 (0.73-1.11)

0.33

0.71 (0.59-0.84)

<0.001

0.97 (0.73-1.28)

0.82

0.67 (0.53-0.86)

<0.001

0.97 (0.73-1.30)

0.85

0.66 (0.52-0.85)

<0.001

>Recommended 2 hours

1

1

1

1

1

1

Favourite hobby*

Active

1.13 (0.95-1.35)

0.27

1.65 (1.42-1.92)

<0.001

1.21 (0.95-1.53)

0.13

1.62 (1.30-2.03)

<0.001

1.17 (0.91-1.50)

0.21

1.65 (1.31-2.08)

<0.001

Inactive

1

1

1

1

1

Sports/fitness club

Yes

2.28 (1.88-2.77)

<0.001

1.86 (1.58-2.20)

<0.001

2.32 (1.69-3.18)

<0.001

1.92 (1.50-2.46)

<0.001

2.28 (1.66-3.14)

0.001

1.90 (1.48-2.45)

<0.001

No

1

1

1

1

1

Family factors+

Caregiver’s education

Third level

1.74 (1.18-2.57)

0.01

1.32 (0.96-1.81)

0.09

1.67 (1.12-2.50)

0.01

1.31 (0.94-1.83)

0.11

Post-secondary

1.21 (0.85-1.72)

0.29

1.17 (0.87-1.57)

0.31

1.14 (0.78-1.67)

0.46

1.16 (0.85-1.58)

0.34

Higher secondary

1.17 (0.81-1.68)

0.41

1.09 (0.80-1.47)

0.60

1.16 (0.81-1.68)

0.42

1.08 (0.79-1.49)

0.62

< =Lower secondary

1

1

1

1

Caregiver’s employment

In full time work

0.81 (0.61-1.08)

0.15

1.05 (0.82-1.34)

0.73

0.76 (0.57-1.01)

0.06

1.04 (0.72-1.50)

0.79

Not in full time

1

1

1

1

Caregiver’s weight#

Obese

1.14 (0.82-1.58)

0.43

1.02(0.76-1.36)

0.90

1.11 (0.79-1.56)

0.54

1.00 (0.74-1.35)

0.99

Overweight

0.85 (0.65-1.11)

0.23

0.94 (0.75-1.17)

0.56

0.80 (0.61-1.05)

0.11

0.92 (0.74-1.16)

0.48

Normal

1

1

1

1

Siblings

Yes

1.20 (0.80-1.79)

0.37

0.86 (0.62-1.18)

0.35

1.22 (0.80-1.86)

0.35

0.83 (0.59-1.16)

0.28

No

1

1

1

1

Parenting style

Authoritative

1.41 (1.07-1.87)

0.02

1.15 (0.90-1.47)

0.25

1.42 (1.06-1.90)

0.02

1.16 (0.91-1.49)

0.23

Permissive

1

1

1

1

Household type

Two parent

1.38 (0.96-1.98)

0.08

1.03(0.77-1.38)

0.82

1.45 (0.99-2.12)

0.06

1.07 (0.79-1.44)

0.74

One parent

1

1

1

1

Environmental factors+

Travel to/from school

Active both ways

1.13 (0.83-1.41)

0.43

1.34 (1.03-1.74)

0.03

Active one way

1.04 (0.66-1.62)

0.88

1.04 (0.72-1.50)

0.85

Inactive both ways

1

1

School playground**

Good/excellent

0.87 (0.67-1.62)

0.29

0.97 (0.76-1.24)

0.82

Fair/poor

1

1

School sports facilities**

Good/excellent

1.08 (0.83-1.41)

0.56

0.99 (0.78-1.26)

0.95

Fair/poor

1

1

Safe places to play

Agree

0.81 (0.53-1.24)

0.33

1.12 -0.75-1.66)

0.58

Disagree

1

1

After school activities

Yes

1.39 (1.05-1.84)

0.02

1.16 (0.92-1.46)

0.22

No

1

1

+All data is primary caregiver reported unless indicated otherwise.

*Child-reported variable.

**School principal reported variable.

#Objectively measured height and weight data.

***1 denotes reference category.

^Screen time was according to the American Association of Pediatrics guidelines.

Model two (individual and family level factors)

None of the family level factors were found to be associated with high PA. Primary caregivers having third level education and an authoritative parenting style were both positively associated with moderate PA levels (Table 3). Children who had primary caregivers with a third level degree were 1.74 times more likely to be in the moderate PA group compared to children of parents with a lower secondary education or less (OR 1.74 [95% CI: 1.18-2.57] p < 0.01). Having a primary caregiver who adopts an authoritative parenting style was associated with a 42% increase in the child’s probability of being in the moderate PA group (OR 1.42 [95% CI: 1.06-1.87] p = 0.02) compared to having a primary caregiver with a permissive parenting style.

In model two, the strength of the association for three of the significant individual level factors (gender, weight status and being a member of a sports or fitness team) became stronger. In particular, the probability of being in the high PA group was 66% higher for boys (OR: 1.66 [95% CI: 1.37-2.01] p < 0.01).

Model three (fully adjusted model)

Accounting for both individual and family level factors, active travel to and from school was positively associated with high PA levels. A positive association between living in a neighbourhood with after school activities and moderate PA was also identified. Children who used active mode of travel both to and from school were 34% more likely to be in the high PA group (OR 1.34 [95% CI: 1.03-1.74] p = 0.03) compared to children who used an inactive mode of travel both to and from school. Children living in a neighbourhood with after school activities were 39% more likely to be in the moderate PA group compared to those who lived in neighbourhoods without after school activities (OR 1.39 [95% CI: 1.05-1.84] p = 0.02).

The association between the individual level factors and high PA remained statistically significant. Of the family level factors, having a primary caregiver with third level education and authoritative parenting styles remained positively associated with moderate PA levels. None of the family level factors were associated with high PA.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the multi-level effects of individual, family and environmental factors on PA levels of children in Ireland. A key finding of this research is that individual level factors appear to have the strongest association with PA levels in nine year olds. Further, many of these factors are modifiable. Being a member of a sports or fitness club, and, having an active favourite hobby were both positively associated with higher levels of PA. Exceeding two hours of TST and being overweight or obese were negatively correlated with higher PA levels. No significant associations with the family level and just one marginal association among the environmental level factors were identified. However, environmental level factors could provide cost effective settings for implementing PA initiatives such as supporting sports participation.

Consistent with both extensive reviews by Sallis et al. [7] and van der Horst et al. [20], boys were more likely to have high PA levels. Literature suggests that differences in organised sports participation may be responsible for some of gender disparities in PA levels. In this research, over 75% of the children were members of a sports or fitness group (84% of boys versus 67% of girls, p = 0.000). In the fully adjusted model (controlled for gender), this research found children who were members of a sports or fitness group were almost twice as likely to be in the high PA group compared to children who were not. This is consistent with findings of the review by Sallis et al. which concluded that community sports participation [7] was positively associated with higher PA levels. Despite generally higher sports participation among boys, a review of PA correlates among girls aged between 10 and 18 also found that organised sports participation had a consistent positive association with higher PA levels [33]. Moreover, longitudinal studies have reported that participation in organised sports during childhood may be associated with long-term participation in PA in both adolescence and adulthood [3, 34]. The promotion of sports and other high intensity activities may therefore provide an opportunity to increase PA among school children.

Many sports and other high intensity activities take place as extra-curricular activities after school hours. The Irish primary school day typically lasts five hours and 40 minutes, commencing at 9 am and finishing at approximately 3 pm. While the curriculum recommends one hour of physical education per week, it has been suggested that many schools do not provide this [14]. As a result, children’s preferences for extracurricular activities may also play a role in their overall PA levels. This research found that children reporting a preference for an active favourite hobby (including basketball, gymnastics and hockey) were more likely to be in the high PA group compared to children who preferred inactive favourite hobbies such as reading, listening to music, and watching TV. Similarly, in their review of previous research, Sallis et al. [7] concluded that children's preference for physical (rather than sedentary) activity was one of the factors most consistently associated with their participation in such activity.

Another key factor that may be associated with PA levels among nine year olds is sedentary behaviour. The American Academy of Paediatricians recommends that children do not exceed two hours of sedentary screen time per day [30]. Previous Irish research reported that over 99% of children and youth exceeded the recommended maximum two hours sedentary screen time per day [14]. Conflicting evidence exists for an association between sedentary behaviours (including screen time) and PA levels among children [7, 35]. This present research found that exceeding these guidelines reduced the likelihood of high PA by 44%. The literature refers to the displacement theory as a possible explanation for an association between exceeding the recommended and lower PA, that is, sedentary behaviours may be replacing active behaviours [36].

PA behaviour and the factors influencing it are very complex. The social-ecological model adopted by this present research is a useful framework due to the complexity of behaviours [18]. Each level of the model layers (individual, family and environmental) is interconnected. Exploring the multiple domains, this present research has considered the broader context when identifying the predictors of PA. While this research did not identify environmental factors as major determinants of PA, more research is needed. In particular, the importance of built environments for increasing PA and other health behaviours has emerged in the literature [37, 38]. Hence, applying the social-ecological theory, objective measures of PA, along with more robust environmental level factors should be considered for modelling PA.

This research used robust objectively measured data for calculating the child’s weight status. While two large reviews [7, 20] have reported inconclusive or no relationship between weight status and PA levels, this research found that the weight status of the child was negatively associated with PA levels. Using objectively measured BMI data, being overweight or obese was associated with lower levels of PA. A possible explanation for this contrasting finding may be the use parent-reported height and weight data for children in other research, which has been found to lack validity and reliability when compared with objective anthropometric measures [39].

A key strength of this study is the large sample of nine year olds taken from the most comprehensive nationally representative children’s health survey currently available in Ireland. According to the 2006 Census figures, there were 56,497 nine year old children resident in Ireland [23]. Thus, this data includes approximately one seventh of these children. Further, probability weights were applied to the data using survey data commands to ensure that the findings are national representative.

However, there are some limitations to this study. The data analysed for this research is cross-sectional, therefore, a causal relationship cannot be inferred. The sample only included nine year old children, hence, generalisability cannot be assumed for all children. Also, there was a relatively low response rate at the household level (57%). The data has been weighted to overcome any issues arising from this; however, response bias may exist.

Further, the nature of the PA data collected does not correspond with WHO guidelines – 60 minutes of MVPA per day [10]. While self-report (by child) of the WHO PA levels was available, the data were not used for the dependent variable as it has been found that children under 10 are not reliable at recalling PA patterns, in particular PA intensity [40]. Validity studies have concluded that studies should use objective measures of PA, or if this is not feasible, rely on parental reports of child PA [41]. The PA data available for this research was primary caregiver reported as opposed to objectively measured data. The primary caregiver reported PA based on how many days in the last 14 the study child had achieved at least 20 minutes of hard physical activity. This self-report question was found to be reliable with acceptable validity when compared with accelerometer data [42]. Also, using this question, other Irish research has constructed PA categories in the same way [29]. Finally, this research provides a comprehensive list of individual level factors; however, some family and environmental level factors were not available such as the primary caregiver’s PA patterns.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study finds individual level factors; including many modifiable factors appear to have the strongest correlation with PA levels of nine year olds in Ireland. Remarkably, individual characteristics appear to predict PA levels when considered in the multiple domains. Future research should aim to use more robust objective measures to explore the usefulness of the interconnect that exists across these domains. In particular how the family and environmental settings could be useful facilitators for consistent individual level factors such as sports participation.

Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

PA:

Physical activity

MVPA:

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity

TST:

Total screen time

WHO:

World Health Organisation.

Declarations

Acknowledgements

The Growing Up in Ireland study is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in association with the Department of Social Protection and the Central Statistics Office.

We would like to thank the Health Research Board Centre for Health and Diet Research for funding this paper. We would also like to thank National Children’s Research Centre, Crumlin, for facilitating international presentations of this research.

Authors' original submitted files for images

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Competing interests

The authors have indicated they have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

Authors’ contributions

SC, EK and PK conceived the overall study design and SC analysed the data and drafted the initial manuscript. All authors have participated in the revising of the manuscript; and all have approved the manuscript as submitted.

Pre-publication history

Copyright

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